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Data Transmission Service:Migrate data from an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance to an ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance

Last Updated:Jul 28, 2025

Data Transmission Service (DTS) allows you to migrate data from a MySQL database, such as a self-managed MySQL database or an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL database, to an ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance. This topic describes how to migrate data from an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance to an ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance.

Prerequisites

  • An ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance (non-serverless) is created. For more information, see Manage instances or Manage instances.

    Note

    For more information about the supported versions of the source and destination databases, see Overview of data migration scenarios.

  • In the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance, a topic is created to receive the migrated data. For more information, see Manage topics or Manage topics.

    Important

    Select Partitionally Ordered Message as the Message Type of RocketMQ V4.x when you create a topic.

    Select Ordered Message as the Message Type of RocketMQ V5.x when you create a topic.

Limits

Limits

Description

Limits on the source instance

  • The server on which the source database is deployed must have sufficient outbound bandwidth. Otherwise, the data migration speed decreases.

  • Migration objects:

    • The tables to be migrated must have PRIMARY KEY or UNIQUE constraints and all fields must be unique. Otherwise, the destination database may contain duplicate data records.

    • If you select tables as the objects to be migrated and you want to modify the tables in the destination database, such as renaming tables or columns, you can migrate up to 1,000 tables in a single data migration task. If you run a task to migrate more than 1,000 tables, a request error occurs. In this case, we recommend that you configure multiple tasks to migrate the tables or configure a task to migrate the entire database.

  • If you want to migrate incremental data, the following requirements for binary logs must be met:

    • The binary logging feature is enabled. The binlog_format parameter is set to row and the binlog_row_image parameter is set to full. Otherwise, error messages are returned during the precheck and the data migration task fails to be started.

      Important

      If the source database is a self-managed MySQL database deployed in a dual-primary cluster, you must set the log_slave_updates parameter to ON. This ensures that DTS can obtain all binary logs.

    • The binary logs of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance must be stored for at least three days. We recommend that you store the binary logs seven days. The binary logs of a self-managed MySQL database must be stored for at least seven days. Otherwise, DTS may fail to obtain the binary logs and the task may fail. In exceptional circumstances, data inconsistency or loss may occur. Make sure that you configure the retention period of binary logs based on the preceding requirements. Otherwise, the service reliability or performance stated in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) of DTS may not be guaranteed.

      Note

      For more information about how to set Retention Period of the binary logs of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance, see Configure parameters based on which the system automatically deletes the binary log files of an RDS instance.

  • Limits on operations to be performed on the source database:

    • During full data migration, do not execute DDL statements to change the schemas of databases or tables. Otherwise, the data migration task fails.

    • If you perform only full data migration, do not write data to the source database during data migration. Otherwise, data may be inconsistent between the source and destination databases.

  • The data generated by change operation of binary logs, such as data restored from a physical backup or data from a cascade operation, is not recorded and migrated to the destination database when the data migration instance is running.

    Note

    If the change data is not recorded and migrated to the destination database, you can migrate full data again on the premise that your business is not affected.

  • If the source database is MySQL database 8.0.23 or later, and the data to be migrated includes invisible columns, the data of the columns cannot be obtained and data loss occurs.

    Note
    • To make the columns visible, run the ALTER TABLE <table_name> ALTER COLUMN <column_name> SET VISIBLE; command. For more information, see Invisible Columns.

    • Tables that do not have primary keys automatically generate invisible primary keys. You need to make the invisible primary keys visible. For more information, see Generated Invisible Primary Keys.

Other limits

  • A serverless ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance cannot serve as the destination database.

  • You can only migrate data to some topics of a destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance.

    • RocketMQ V4.x: Select Partitionally Ordered Message as the Message Type of the destination topic.

      If you select the region of a destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance different from Instance Region of the source database, DTS is authorized to access the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance over the Internet, and you are charged for Internet traffic fee. You must enable the Internet access of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance.

      Note
      • You can view the access status of Internet on the Basic Information tab of the Instance Details page in the ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ console.

      • For more information about the Internet traffic fee of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance, see Billing of Internet traffic.

    • RocketMQ V5.x: Select Ordered Message as the Message Type of the destination topic.

  • The destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance supports a message body up to 4 MB.

  • If you want to upgrade or downgrade the class of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance in DTS, the message is delivered in a new rule configuration different from before.

  • During full data migration, DTS uses the read and write resources of the source and destination databases. This may increase the loads of the database servers. Before you migrate data, assess the impact of data migration on the performance of the source and destination databases. We recommend that you migrate data during off-peak hours, such as when the CPU usage of the source and destination databases is lower than 30%.

  • During full data migration, concurrent INSERT operations cause fragmentation in the tables of the destination database. After full data migration is complete, the size of used tablespace of the destination database is larger than that of the source instance.

  • During data migration, do not use tools such as pt-online-schema-change to perform online DDL operations on the objects to be migrated from the source database. Otherwise, the data migration task fails.

  • Data inconsistency between the source and destination databases may occur if data from other sources is written to the destination database during data migration.

  • If the source database is an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance for which the EncDB feature is enabled, full data migration cannot be performed.

    Note

    The ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance with the transparent data encryption (TDE) feature enabled supports full data migration and incremental data migration.

  • If a DTS task fails to run, DTS technical support will try to restore the task within 8 hours. During the restoration, the task may be restarted, and the parameters of the task may be modified.

    Note

    Only the parameters of the DTS task may be modified. The parameters of databases are not modified. The parameters that may be modified include but are not limited to the parameters in the "Modify instance parameters" section of the Modify the parameters of a DTS instance topic.

Special cases

  • If the source database is a self-managed MySQL database, take note of the following limits:

    • If you perform a primary/secondary switchover on the source database when the data migration task is running, the task fails.

    • DTS calculates migration latency based on the timestamp of the latest migrated data in the destination database and the current timestamp in the source database. If no DML operation is performed on the source database for a long time, the migration latency may be inaccurate. If the latency of the data migration task is excessively high, you can perform a DML operation on the source database to update the latency.

      Note

      If you select an entire database as the object to be migrated, you can create a heartbeat table. The heartbeat table is updated or receives data every second.

    • DTS executes the CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS `test` statement in the source database as scheduled to move forward the binary log file position.

  • If the source database is an Apsara RDS for MySQL instance, take note of the following limit:

    • In incremental data migration, an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance that does not record transaction logs, such as a read-only ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL V5.6 instance, cannot be used as the source database.

    • DTS executes the CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS `test` statement in the source database as scheduled to move forward the binary log file position.

Billing

Migration type

Instance configuration fee

Full data migration

Free of charge.

Incremental data migration

Charged. For more information, see Billing Overview.

SQL operations that can be incrementally migrated

Operation type

SQL statement

DML

INSERT and UPDATE

DDL

  • CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, DROP TABLE, RENAME TABLE, and TRUNCATE TABLE

  • CREATE VIEW, ALTER VIEW, and DROP VIEW

  • CREATE PROCEDURE, ALTER PROCEDURE, and DROP PROCEDURE

  • CREATE FUNCTION, DROP FUNCTION, CREATE TRIGGER, and DROP TRIGGER

  • CREATE INDEX and DROP INDEX

Permissions required for database accounts

Database

Required permissions

References

Source ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance

Read permissions on the objects to be migrated.

Create an account and Modify account permissions.

Note

If the source database account that you use is not created and authorized in the 

ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL console, make sure that the account has the REPLICATION CLIENT, REPLICATION SLAVE, SHOW VIEW, and SELECT permissions.

Procedure

  1. Use one of the following methods to go to the Data Migration page and select the region in which the data migration instance resides.

    DTS console

    1. Log on to the DTS console.

    2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Data Migration.

    3. In the upper-left corner of the page, select the region in which the data migration instance resides.

    DMS console

    Note

    The actual operation may vary based on the mode and layout of the DMS console. For more information, see Simple mode and Customize the layout and style of the DMS console.

    1. Log on to the DMS console.

    2. In the top navigation bar, move the pointer over Data + AI > DTS (DTS) > Data Migration.

    3. From the drop-down list to the right of Data Migration Tasks, select the region in which the data synchronization instance resides.

  2. Click Create Task to go to the task configuration page.

  3. Configure the source and destination databases. The following table describes the parameters.

    Section

    Parameter

    Description

    N/A

    Task Name

    The name of the DTS task. DTS automatically generates a task name. We recommend that you specify an informative name that makes it easy to identify the task. You do not need to specify a unique task name.

    Source Database

    Select Existing Connection

    • If you use a database instance that is registered with DTS, select the instance from the drop-down list. DTS automatically populates the following database parameters for the instance. For more information, see Manage database connections.

      Note

      In the DMS console, you can select the database instance from the Select a DMS database instance drop-down list.

    • If you fail to register the instance with DTS, or you do not need to use the instance that is registered with DTS, you must configure the following database information.

    Database Type

    The type of the source database. Select MySQL.

    Access Method

    The access method of the source database. Select Alibaba Cloud Instance.

    Instance Region

    The region in which the source ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance resides.

    Replicate Data Across Alibaba Cloud Accounts

    In this example, a database instance of the current Alibaba Cloud account is used. Select No.

    RDS Instance ID

    The ID of the source ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.

    Database Account

    The database account of the source ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance. For permission requirements, see the Permissions required for database accounts section of this topic.

    Database Password

    The password that is used to access the database instance.

    Encryption

    Specifies whether to encrypt the connection to the database. You can select Non-encrypted or SSL-encrypted based on your business requirements. If you want to set this parameter to SSL-encrypted, you must enable SSL encryption for the ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance before you configure the DTS task. For more information, see Use a cloud certificate to enable SSL encryption.

    Destination Database

    Select Existing Connection

    • If you use a database instance that is registered with DTS, select the instance from the drop-down list. DTS automatically populates the following database parameters for the instance. For more information, see Manage database connections.

      Note

      In the DMS console, you can select the database instance from the Select a DMS database instance drop-down list.

    • If you fail to register the instance with DTS, or you do not need to use the instance that is registered with DTS, you must configure the following database information.

    Database Type

    The type of the destination database. Select RocketMQ.

    Access Method

    The access method of the destination database. Select Alibaba Cloud Instance.

    Instance Region

    The region in which the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance resides.

    RocketMQ version

    The version of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance.

    Instance ID

    The ID of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance.

    Database Account

    Enter the database account of the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance and the password of the account.

    Note
    • The both parameters are required only when the RocketMQ version is set to 5.x.

    • You can obtain the account and password on the Intelligent Authentication tab of the Access Control page in the ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ console.

    Database Password

    Topic

    Select a topic that is used to receive data from the drop-down list.

    Topic That Stores DDL Information

    Select a topic that stores the DDL information from the drop-down list.

    Note

    If this parameter is not selected, the DDL information is stored in the Topic selected in Topic by default.

  4. In the lower part of the page, click Test Connectivity and Proceed.

    Note
    • Make sure that the CIDR blocks of DTS servers can be automatically or manually added to the security settings of the source and destination databases to allow access from DTS servers. For more information, see Add the CIDR blocks of DTS servers.

    • If the source or destination database is a self-managed database and its Access Method is not set to Alibaba Cloud Instance, click Test Connectivity in the CIDR Blocks of DTS Servers dialog box.

  5. Configure the objects to be migrated.

    1. On the Configure Objects page, configure the objects that you want to migrate.

      Parameter

      Description

      Migration Types

      • To perform only full data migration, select only Full Data Migration.

      • To ensure service continuity during data migration, select Full Data Migration and Incremental Data Migration.

      Note

      If you do not select Incremental Data Migration, we recommend that you do not write data to the source database during data migration. This ensures data consistency between the source and destination databases.

      Processing Mode of Conflicting Tables

      • Precheck and Report Errors: checks whether the destination database contains tables that use the same names as tables in the source database. If the source and destination databases do not contain tables that have identical table names, the precheck is passed. Otherwise, an error is returned during the precheck and the data migration task cannot be started.

        Note

        If the source and destination databases contain tables with identical names and the tables in the destination database cannot be deleted or renamed, you can use the object name mapping feature to rename the tables that are migrated to the destination database. For more information, see Map object names.

      • Ignore Errors and Proceed: skips the precheck for identical table names in the source and destination databases.

        Warning

        If you select Ignore Errors and Proceed, data inconsistency may occur and your business may be exposed to the following potential risks:

        • If the source and destination databases have the same schema, and a data record has the same primary key as an existing data record in the destination database, the following scenarios may occur:

          • During full data migration, DTS does not migrate the data record to the destination database. The existing data record in the destination database is retained.

          • During incremental data migration, DTS migrates the data record to the destination database. The existing data record in the destination database is overwritten.

        • If the source and destination databases have different schemas, only specific columns are migrated or the data migration task fails. Proceed with caution.

      Format of the data delivered to RocketMQ.

      The format in which the data to be migrated is written in the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements. For more information, see Data formats in a message queue.

      Synchronize all fields

      Specify whether to migrate the pre-image of the fields that are modified by executing UPDATE operation in the object to be migrated to the old field of the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements.

      Note

      You can configure this parameter only if you specify the Format of the data delivered to RocketMQ. as Canal JSON.

      • Yes: Migrate the pre-image of all fields in a line.

      • No (default): Migrate only the pre-image of the updated fields.

      Rules of the ordered messages delivered to RocketMQ.

      Select the rules of the ordered messages for which the data to be migrated is written to the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements. For more information, see Rules of the ordered messages delivered to RocketMQ.

      Name of DTS producer group

      The name of a producer group that sends messages in the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements. For more information, see Producers.

      Note

      The default value is dts-producer-group.

      Limits of RocketMQ messaging transactions per second (TPS)

      The maximum messaging transactions per second (TPS) when the data to be migriated is written to the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements. For more information, see the Computing specifications section in the topic "Computing fees".

      Important
      • The value must be greater than or equal to the maximum TPS of the ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance. For more information, see the Limits on instance specifications section in the topic "Quotas and limits".

      • The messaging TPS of the ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance may fluctuate slightly around the set value when the data migration instance is running.

      Whether to filter large size of records.

      Specify whether to filter the message body larger than 4 MB that is written to the specified topic. You can specify this parameter based on your business requirements.

      Important

      If you select No, and the message body exceeds 4 MB, the migration instance will fail to run.

      Capitalization of Object Names in Destination Instance

      The capitalization of database names, table names, and column names in the destination instance. By default, DTS default policy is selected. You can select other options to make sure that the capitalization of object names is consistent with that of the source or destination database. For more information, see Specify the capitalization of object names in the destination instance.

      Source Objects

      Select one or more objects from the Source Objects section. Click the 向右小箭头 icon to add the objects to the Selected Objects section.

      Note

      You can select databases and tables as the objects to be migrated.

      Selected Objects

      In this example, you do not need to configure this parameter. You can use the mapping feature to specify the topic name, filter conditions, SQL operations to be migrated, and the partition key when the data to be migirated is written to the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance. For more information, see the Mapping information section of this topic.

    2. Click Next: Advanced Settings to configure advanced settings.

      Parameter

      Description

      Dedicated Cluster for Task Scheduling

      By default, DTS schedules the data migration task to the shared cluster if you do not specify a dedicated cluster. If you want to improve the stability of data migration tasks, purchase a dedicated cluster. For more information, see What is a DTS dedicated cluster.

      Retry Time for Failed Connections

      The retry time range for failed connections. If the source or destination database fails to be connected after the data migration task is started, DTS immediately retries a connection within the retry time range. Valid values: 10 to 1,440. Unit: minutes. Default value: 720. We recommend that you set the parameter to a value greater than 30. If DTS is reconnected to the source and destination databases within the specified retry time range, DTS resumes the data migration task. Otherwise, the data migration task fails.

      Note
      • If you specify different retry time ranges for multiple data migration tasks that share the same source or destination database, the value that is specified later takes precedence.

      • When DTS retries a connection, you are charged for the DTS instance. We recommend that you specify the retry time range based on your business requirements. You can also release the DTS instance at the earliest opportunity after the source database and destination instance are released.

      Retry Time for Other Issues

      The retry time range for other issues. For example, if DDL or DML operations fail to be performed after the data migration task is started, DTS immediately retries the operations within the retry time range. Valid values: 1 to 1440. Unit: minutes. Default value: 10. We recommend that you set the parameter to a value greater than 10. If the failed operations are successfully performed within the specified retry time range, DTS resumes the data migration task. Otherwise, the data migration task fails.

      Important

      The value of the Retry Time for Other Issues parameter must be smaller than the value of the Retry Time for Failed Connections parameter.

      Enable Throttling for Full Data Migration

      Specifies whether to enable throttling for full data migration. During full data migration, DTS uses the read and write resources of the source and destination databases. This may increase the loads of the database servers. You can enable throttling for full data migration based on your business requirements. To configure throttling, you must configure the Queries per second (QPS) to the source database, RPS of Full Data Migration, and Data migration speed for full migration (MB/s) parameters. This reduces the loads of the destination database server.

      Note

      You can configure this parameter only if you select Full Data Migration for the Migration Types parameter.

      Enable Throttling for Incremental Data Migration

      Specifies whether to enable throttling for incremental data migration. To configure throttling, you must configure the RPS of Incremental Data Migration and Data migration speed for incremental migration (MB/s) parameters. This reduces the loads of the destination database server.

      Note

      You can configure this parameter only if you select Incremental Data Migration for the Migration Types parameter.

      Whether to delete SQL operations on heartbeat tables of forward and reverse tasks

      Specifies whether to write SQL operations on heartbeat tables to the source database while the DTS instance is running. Valid values:

      • Yes: does not write SQL operations on heartbeat tables. In this case, a latency of the DTS instance may be displayed.

      • No: writes SQL operations on heartbeat tables. In this case, features such as physical backup and cloning of the source database may be affected.

      Environment Tag

      The environment tag that is used to identify the DTS instance. You can select an environment tag based on your business requirements. In this example, you do not need to configure this parameter.

      Configure ETL

      Specifies whether to enable the extract, transform, and load (ETL) feature. For more information, see What is ETL? Valid values:

      Monitoring and Alerting

      Specifies whether to configure alerting for the data migration task. If the task fails or the migration latency exceeds the specified threshold, the alert contacts receive notifications. Valid values:

  6. Save the task settings and run a precheck.

    • To view the parameters to be specified when you call the relevant API operation to configure the DTS task, move the pointer over Next: Save Task Settings and Precheck and click Preview OpenAPI parameters.

    • If you do not need to view or have viewed the parameters, click Next: Save Task Settings and Precheck in the lower part of the page.

    Note
    • Before you can start the data migration task, DTS performs a precheck. You can start the data migration task only after the task passes the precheck.

    • If the task fails to pass the precheck, click View Details next to each failed item. After you analyze the causes based on the check results, troubleshoot the issues. Then, run a precheck again.

    • If an alert is triggered for an item during the precheck:

      • If an alert item cannot be ignored, click View Details next to the failed item and troubleshoot the issues. Then, run a precheck again.

      • If the alert item can be ignored, click Confirm Alert Details. In the View Details dialog box, click Ignore. In the message that appears, click OK. Then, click Precheck Again to run a precheck again. If you ignore the alert item, data inconsistency may occur, and your business may be exposed to potential risks.

  7. Purchase an instance.

    1. Wait until Success Rate becomes 100%. Then, click Next: Purchase Instance.

    2. On the Purchase Instance page, configure the Instance Class parameter for the data migration instance. The following table describes the parameters.

      Section

      Parameter

      Description

      New Instance Class

      Resource Group

      The resource group to which the data migration instance belongs. Default value: default resource group. For more information, see What is Resource Management?

      Instance Class

      DTS provides instance classes that vary in the migration speed. You can select an instance class based on your business scenario. For more information, see Instance classes of data migration instances.

    3. Read and agree to Data Transmission Service (Pay-as-you-go) Service Terms by selecting the check box.

    4. Click Buy and Start. In the message that appears, click OK.

      You can view the progress of the task on the Data Migration page.

      Note
      • If a data migration task cannot be used to migrate incremental data, the task automatically stops. The Completed is displayed in the Status section.

      • If a data migration task can be used to migrate incremental data, the task does not automatically stop. The incremental data migration task never stops or completes. The Running is displayed in the Status section.

Mapping information

  1. In the Selected Objects section, move the pointer over the topic name.

  2. Right-click Edit.

  3. In the dialog box that appears, configure the mapping information.

    Note
    • If both database-level and table-level mapping features are enabled, the table-level mapping shall prevail, and the database-level mapping feature does not take effect.

    • If you enable the database-level mapping feature, the Edit Schema dialog box appears. If you enable the table-level mapping feature, the Edit Table dialog box appears.

    Database-level mapping

    Parameter

    Description

    Schema Name

    The name of the topic to which the data in the source table is migrated. By default, this parameter is set to the value of Topic in the Destination Database section in the Configurations for Source and Destination Databases.

    Important
    • The name of the topic to which the data in the source table is migrated. By default, this parameter is set to the value of Topic in the Destination Database section in the Configurations for Source and Destination Databases.

    • If you change the value of the Schema Name, the data in the database is written to the specified topic.

    Select DDL and DML Operations to Be Synchronized

    Select the SQL operations to be incrementally migrated based on your business requirements.

    Table-level mapping

    Parameter

    Description

    Table Name

    The name of the topic to which the data in the source table is migrated. By default, this parameter is set to the value of Topic in the Destination Database section in the Configurations for Source and Destination Databases.

    Important
    • The topic must exist in the destination ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instance. Otherwise, data migration fails.

    • If you change the value of the Table Name parameter, the data in the table is written to the specified topic.

    Filter Conditions

    For more information, see Specify filter conditions.

    Select DDL and DML Operations to Be Synchronized

    Select the SQL operations to be incrementally migrated based on your business requirements.

    Partition Key

    When you select the Rules of the ordered messages delivered to RocketMQ. as the Deliver data based on hash values of a specified column., you can configure this parameter and specify one or more columns as partition keys to calculate the hash value. DTS migrates each row to the corresponding partition of the specified topic based on the hash value calculated.

  4. Click OK.